New Year's Resolutions:
How to Be Healthy, Wealthy and Wise in 2019
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New Year's eve is tonight, and what better time to think about resolutions for 2019? According to a
recent article in
U.S. News & World Report, you aren't alone if your resolutions include financial ones. "Nearly one-third of Americans plan to make a money resolution for 2019," writes
Susannah Snider, senior editor of personal finance, citing a survey from Fidelity Investments.
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Of those surveyed who identified finances as a focus for their New Year's resolutions,
48 percent plan to save more,
29 percent resolve to pay down debt and
15 percent are committed to spending less in the new year. Here are just a few of the money resolutions you may want to consider as you create your own plans for 2019:
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- Start tracking your budget. Begin by logging your spending so you can see where your money is going. If you need help with tracking, there are plenty of apps out there to assist.
- Get healthy--without joining a gym. Try free exercise videos online, walk in the park or take a hike in one of the many beautiful forest preserves in our area.
- Cut the cable cord. Consider giving up cable TV and replacing it with any number of streaming services now available. With the money you save on cable, put that toward...
- Boosting your retirement contributions. Combine that with another resolution--to automate your financial commitments, whether it's upping your retirement contribution or another popular resolution: paying down your debt.
- Visit your doctor and dentist. Preventive care can protect your health and save you money on your medical bills. And while you're busy maintaining your health...
- Do some home maintenance. Taking care of your home can save you money in the long run. That includes things like changing air filters or having your air and heating systems checked on a regular basis.
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One financial resolution we really liked:
Assemble your financial team. We are honored to be part of
your team and we look forward to serving you in the new year.
How about the rest of your team? Is your will or trust up-to-date or do you need an estate attorney? How about your insurance needs--are you and your business and/or family fully covered? Can you save some money on "bundling" your coverage? Please let us know if you are looking for recommendations for other professionals to complete your team. We enjoy sharing names of other trusted advisors with our colleagues, clients and friends.
A critical money resolution is to take a look at your investments. If you would like a
complimentary consultation with
John Vires
, CFP
®
, CFA
®,
please contact us. We are eager to help you meet your financial goals in 2019.
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Our People Make a Difference
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Each December the
Wheaton Chamber of Commerce hosts an awards luncheon to honor the contributions of its many chamber volunteers. This year the
Brinkman Community Leadership Award, a capstone award for long-time chamber members who have distinguished themselves as leaders, went to ... (drum roll)...
Jim Mathieson, CPA.
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As if that wasn't exciting enough, the
MMA & Co. team was also given the "
True Blue" Award. According to
Debbie Lunger, jobs program director and community relationship manager at
People's Resource Center and out-going president of the chamber board, "The True Blue Award is presented to a business that is recognized for dependable support and contribution of resources that enhance and benefit our entire Chamber," she said.
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"Many of our dedicated members are always there to support our projects, events and assets," she continued, adding, "Because of their ongoing support and protection of and especially for their expertise, interest and concern when it comes to our financial management needs, we honor Mathieson, Moyski, Austin & Co."
[Photo: (L to R) Ron Austin, CPA, Mike Moyski, CPA, Cindy Gunderson, MMA & Co. office manager and Brett Mathieson, CPA]
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Welcome to Our Newest Team Members
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What would you say is the definition of "
teamwork?"
That's our theme for the upcoming year, and nowhere was it more prevalent this week than watching new employees (L to R)
Zaid Siddiqi,
Heather Fee, CPA, and
Judy Progo work together to build a shelf for our new office space.
When they aren't helping prep for the move, our newest team members contribute their many talents to client services. Zaid is a new accounting graduate of Benedictine University and he joins us as a staff accountant. Heather is a seasoned CPA who comes to us as a senior accountant and Judy brings deep expertise as a staff accountant/bookkeeper.
As our team grows, we stop to acknowledge everyone here who contributes to making our workplace somewhere that people want to work.
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The Reindeer Run Separates the Wet from the Dry
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A little freezing rain didn't stop the Mathieson, Moyski, Austin & Co. team from participating in a charity 5K on Dec. 2. In spite of the weather, our employees and their families and friends braved the elements to begin (and some even completed) the
Wheaton Lions Club Reindeer Run 5K. MMA & Co. was once again a sponsor of the event, held in partnership with the
Wheaton Park District.
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The Ron Austin Family gathers for a family portrait before the race
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Lion Club member John Vires is joined by a volunteer to assist race participants
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(L to R) Laura O'Malley, Nataliya McDonald, CPA, and Nataliya's husband Brad bring sunshine to inclement weather
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We send you holiday wishes and all the best for an amazing 2019. If we can help you keep those financial resolutions, let us know. We will be moved into our new office space by January 21--after that, please look for us on the fourth floor (Suite 400).
Thanks to you, our colleagues, clients and friends, we continue to outpace the growth rate of most accounting firms. We're working diligently to build our team in a way that meets the needs of our clients, our employees and our trusted advisor connections as well as the communities in which we live and serve. We appreciate you and your business.
Happy New Year!
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Ron Austin, CPA
Brian Eisenmenger, CPA
Brian Hagene, CPA
Brett Mathieson, CPA
Mike Moyski, CPA
John Straus, CPA
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